A pair of Vietnamese immigrants have appeared in court charged with running a cannabis factory in New Malden, with one demanding to be sent back to his homeland.

Kingston police raided a three bedroom house in Barnsbury Close on the morning of Thursday, April 15, and they discovered more than 200 cannabis plants being cultivated.

Van Tha Nguyen, 55, and Anh Van Nguyen, 33, appeared before Kingston Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 21, and Tuesday, May 25, respectively.

They were both charged with cultivating cannabis plants and stealing £2,224 of electricity from the power mains.

Other items found at the three bedroom house included halogen lamps, fertiliser, and tools used to steal an estimated £2,224 worth of electricity from the power mains.

During his court appearance on Friday, Van Tha Nguyen needed an interpreter to demand that he be sent back to Vietnam as soon as possible, irrespective of the outcome of the case.

The pair will have an opportunity to enter a plea when they next appear at Kingston Crown Court on June 21.